A Trip to Texas Wine Country: http://ping.fm/2epvN

A Trip to Texas Wine Country

I had the pleasure of joining one of my best friends and clients, Lisa Gaynor, to celebrate her birthday. We took a tour of three Texas Wineries in the Hill Country in a cute restored VW Bus. A local lady came up with the great idea of starting a business that does wine tours in this unique bus instead of a limo like many of the other local businesses.
I just love everything about wineries and it was a girl’s afternoon out in every sense of the word. We had an amazing time with laughter and great company.
It is amazing how many wineries are in our area and most of them produce bottles of award winning wine. I left that day with two bottles from Driftwood Estates (2007 Merlot and their Lone Star Cabernet) and from Texas Hills Vineyard (2007 Kick Butt Cab and 2005 Syrah).
Wine, dine and design!

Color Changing Glass Tiles: http://ping.fm/LFnKm

Color Changing Glass Tiles

This glass product is unique due to its ability to change color and or image through any kind of change in temperature. Examples are human touch, a change in ambient temperature, warm/cold water; anywhere a heat or cold source is present. In addition, it can be designed in any size/thickness of glass, color/colors, and multiple activation temperatures. The base color can also be color matched to virtually any color imaginable.

Color-changing dyes and additives have been offered in paper, plastic and textiles for some time, but this product takes the idea into a new area: glass tiles. Offered in a range of colors and sensitivities, the tiles change color based on ambient temperature, body temperature or water temperature – whatever they’re touching.

The textured glass surface layer protects and highlights the color-change film on the tile. The base color of the tile can match almost any color, and the temperature change point can be fit to the user’s environment and requirements. The dynamic color change begins at the selected activation temperature and shimmers through three phases, one with each 6 – 10° rise in temperature. Once the temperature peak is passed, the base color returns and remains the same until the temperature drops.

The tiles come in six standard lines; each is a different glass texture, and each offers the changing display in different color moods and ranges, all matched by complementary decos and liners. In bath/shower rooms and other areas, the tiles could form beautiful water temperature safety gauges or be a visual room temperature marker. But this technology has also been used in art pieces that transform with temperature changes: In one, a cityscape changes from a day to a night scene, complete with lights. The tiles can be used on floors, walls and counters — and, because they use glass that is 20 – 80% recycled, they’re a green product.

Furniture Seminar September 16th: http://ping.fm/NDAIH

Looking Beyond Labels: What insiders know about selecting the best in-home furnishings

Whether you reside in a dream home with a lake view or have just purchased your first place, furnishing a home is a significant investment. Today's funriture industry is more complex than ever, making it difficult for many consumers to find the best quality and value for their investment. Join us to learn insider secrets to help you shop with confidence!

Topics Include:

• Fact or Fiction? - A look at common furniture myths
• Furniture Anatomy 101- How to determine if it is built to last.
• What's in a name? - Does a well-known name insure a better choice?
• Price Versus Value - If you pay more, do you get better quality?
• Oops...life happened - Crafty ways to correct furniture mishaps
• Reduce/Reuse/Rethink (Going Green Beautifully)

Register Now!

Looking Beyond Labels: What insiders know about selecting the best in-home furnishings will be held on Thursday September 16, 2010 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Design It With Consignment Showroom located at 4211 South Lamar Suite A-23 Austin, TX 78704

Wine and Cheese refreshments will be served.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Lisa Gaynor, Proprietor

Design It With Consignment

Lisa Gaynor is the creator and owner of Design It With Consignment, Austin's most elegant furniture consignment showroom; featuring flawless pre-owned furnishings, antiques, and locally-created fine art and accessories.

Fine furniture has been a lifelong passion, leading her to design, build and refurbish many pieces for herself and her friends over the years. These skills have enabled her to maintain the highest standards for quality in her showroom.

Since 2005 Design It With Consignment has won accolades from loyal customers, small business groups, and local and national press. The shop has received "Highly Recommended" honors from Citysearch, and was called "One of the 119 best bargains in Austin" by Austin Monthly Magazine. Additional features have appeared in Austinwoman Magazine, Austin American-Statesman, and the West Austin News. In the spring of 2010, Lisa's story about the creation of her business was featured on CNN as part of their series, "Building Up America".

Her shop actively contributes to local charities such as Habitat for Humanity the Lifeworks Design Challenge, Dell Children's Hospital, and many other school and community service projects.

A sought-after, energetic, and humorous speaker, Lisa has given workshops for the National Association of Resale professionals, Austin Creative Arts Society, as well as many local business and community organizations.

Register Now!

All-natural tips for keeping your wood furniture looking like new: http://ping.fm/H7CZ1

All-Natural Tips for Keeping Your Wood Furniture Looking Like New

Most store bought furniture polishes contain hazardous chemicals that can be harmful to your family. Here is the recipe for an all-natural homemade wood polish:

• ¼ cup distilled white vinegar or lemon juice (hint: vinegar has a longer shelf life than lemon juice)
• A few drops of jojoba or olive oil
• 3-5 drops of a fragrant essential oil (optional)
• Just mix the ingredients together and get started cleaning!

For small dings and scrapes on your wood furniture all you need is a walnut.

1. Identify areas of your wooden furniture that are unsightly because they have been bumped or scraped.



2. Get your walnut.



3. Rub the walnut on the damaged area.



4. Watch in amazement as the damaged area begins to darken.

Awesome furniture made from recycled bicycles: http://ping.fm/OquSL

Bike Furniture Design

While surfing the internet this weekend I stumbled upon this very cool furniture website that I wanted to share with you: Bike Furniture Design based out of Michigan. Their furniture is made of recycled bicycles that they turn into beautiful modern designs.

From the Bike Furniture Design Website (http://www.bikefurniture.com/):

Bike Furniture Design is a design and manufacturing studio specializing in contemporary, modern furniture made primarily from recycled steel and aluminum bicycle rims, handlebars, and frames.

Working within the vernacular of classic modern furniture design, BFD founder Andy Gregg has continued to refine this comfortable and durable furniture since 1990.

Since the original Bike Chair, Bike Furniture Designs have grown to include a wide-ranging collection of high-quality tables, bar stools, loveseats, and more chairs. Some designs, in addition to utilizing the bicycle, also utilize components from other transportation industries.

These designs use train and automobile windows for tabletops, and surplus automotive seat-belt webbing for seating upholstery.

Bike Furniture upholstery options are unlimited. Some options include leather, rubber, cork, clear and colored acrylic, and vinyl.

BFD founder/primary designer Andy Gregg has been influenced by his years spent in bike shops, and on bikes.

Bike Furniture Design World Headquarters is located in the mountain biking, and nordic skiing mecca Marquette, Michigan, on the shores of Lake Superior.

Common pleat styles for custom drapery http://ping.fm/Vfbsr

Pleat Styles for Custom Drapery

When ordering custom draperies, your designer may ask you what type of pleat you prefer. If you are like most people, than you had no idea that there was more than one choice. Here are some examples of common pleat types used in draperies so you can make an informed decision.

Two Finger Pleat

Three Finger Pleat

Four Finger Pleat

Five Finger Pleat

French Pleat

Cartridge Pleat

Butterfly Pleat

Goblet Pleat

Inverted Pleat

A light summer dinnner...http://ping.fm/Li5S4

Spaghetti with Shrimp and Broccoli

Spaghetti with Shrimp and Broccoli

Serves 4



Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 cups broccoli florets (2 large heads)

Good olive oil

1 pound (16 to 18 per pound) shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 pound imported spaghetti, such as De Cecco

8 large garlic cloves, cut into thin slivers

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 cup minced fresh parsley

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 2 tablespoons salt.

2. Combine the broccoli, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper on a sheet pan, spread out, and roast for five minutes. Add the shrimp to the broccoli, toss well, and spread out in one layer. Roast the shrimp and broccoli for 8 to 10 minutes, until the shrimp is cooked.

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in the pot of boiling salted water according to the directions on the package. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water before you drain the pasta.

4. Heat 1/3 cup olive oil over medium heat in a pot large enough to hold the pasta, such as a 12-inch sauté pan or a large, shallow pot. Add the garlic and cook for one to two minutes, stirring frequently, until it just begins to turn golden on the edges. Add the red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds more. Carefully add the reserved pasta-cooking water to the garlic and oil and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat, add 1 teaspoon salt, and simmer for about five minutes, until the liquid is reduced by about a third.

5. Add the drained pasta to the garlic oil and toss. Off the heat, add the cooked shrimp and broccoli, plus the parsley and Parmesan, and toss well. Allow the pasta to rest off the heat for five minutes, for the sauce to be absorbed in the pasta, then taste for seasoning and serve warm with extra Parmesan on the side.

Interior Design Society (IDS) Austin Chapter Formation Meeting August 12th at Ethan Allen Design Center. http://ping.fm/JIZSm

Interior Design Austin Texas

Please join us on August 12, 2010 (9:30 AM - 10:00 AM) for the Austin, Texas Chapter Formation Meeting at the new Ethan Allen Design Center 2817 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757. It will be a fun, informative, and interesting meeting where you are encouraged to network with other design professionals from the Austin area.

The Interior Design Society (IDS) is an independent national organization more than 3,000 members strong. One of the country's largest design organizations dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry, the Interior Design Society offers members community, education and business support. The IDS National headquarters is located in High Point, NC, the world's home furnishings capital.

Founded in 1973 by the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) to support interior designers based within furniture stores, the Interior Design Society has long since expanded its focus. All qualified residential design professionals, including those who work in a retail environment, are welcome and encouraged to join IDS as an adjunct to their classroom education.

New possibilities, new opportunities and a host of organizational improvements are intended to make IDS membership all the more valuable and personally rewarding for all members.

OUR MISSION: To strengthen and grow the Interior Design Society by providing its members with valuable education, resources, programs, and services to aid them in their path to professionalism in residential interior design.

Whether you are new to residential interior design or someone who has been in the field forever, the Interior Design Society has much to offer. IDS members work in many settings and come to the organization with a variety of experience and educational backgrounds. What we all have in common is a passion for beautiful design, a thirst for knowledge and a resolute commitment to help clients create the home of their dreams.

Advance Your Career

Seminars, design workshops, and the CQRID certification exam (http://www.cqrid.org/) can contribute to career advancement, even without a four-year degree. IDS has a place for everyone associated with residential interior design or designers.

Membership levels begin with the Student level followed by Affiliate, Associate, Professional. As you advance, so does your membership level. To advance from Student to Associate, you can have education, experience or a combination of both.

Back to School Study Spaces http://ping.fm/Qwdwr

Kid's Study Spaces

School will be starting soon and the kids will need a place to study and do their homework. Students do best when their have a study place that suites their individual needs. Not all children have the same learning style; some may need a completely quiet room while others study better with quiet music playing. A bedroom may be the best place for a study area, but some children find studying in their room distracting and cannot concentrate in the bedroom. Parents should take time to talk to their children about what they would like to see in their study space. With a little creativity it is possible to create a study area where your child will enjoy spending time and learning.

After picking a location in the house, the next step is to choose furniture that will maximize storage and function. A cluttered work space is not conducive to productivity. With computers becoming a primary study tool, a good computer desk is a great place to start. A desk with closed-door storage spaces for a printer, tower, and keyboard can help to keep the desktop clear for other projects. Today’s children’s computer furniture sometimes even comes with built in chargers for phones, iPods, and cameras with hidden wires to reduce clutter.

Instead of a traditional desk, you child may enjoy something different. For example, using an old hutch repainted in your child’s favorite colors may suit him or her better. Hang shelves or cabinets and a corkboard above the hutch to complete the look. For children who may perform better in a less formal study area, consider an open reading area. A colorful rug and a comfy chair or beanbag arranged in front of bookshelves creates a comfortable space for reading and relaxing.

However you choose to decorate your child’s study area keep in mind that the child should feel comfortable in the space. If the space reflects your child’s personality they will be more likely to use the space and get their homework done!